Self-contained portable positionable oscillating motor array including an outer harness providing a compressive force

Abstract

In some embodiments, a system may include a first wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject. The system may include a second wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject on an outer surface of the first wearable harness. The system may include a plurality of engines which when activated apply an oscillation force to at least one treatment area. At least one of the plurality of engines may be releasably couplable to the first wearable harness using a positioning system such that the oscillation force is applied to the treatment areas. The oscillation force may mobilize, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject at least adjacent the treatment area. The second wearable harness, when activated, may provide a compressive force to at least some of the activated plurality of engines positioned above the treatment area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of clearing a biological airway, comprising:
 positioning an inner wearable harness on a torso of a subject; 
 selectively positioning at least some of a plurality of engines on and/or adjacent at least one treatment area, wherein at least one of the plurality of engines is releasably couplable to the inner wearable harness such that the at least one of the plurality of engines is positionable relative to the subject using a positioning system; 
 applying an oscillation force to at least one of the treatment areas using at least some of the plurality of engines; 
 assessing treatment areas of the subject's chest for selective placement of at least some of the plurality of the engines, such that the at least some of the plurality of engines are adjacent the at least one treatment area that needs secretion mobilization, wherein assessing treatment areas comprises using a controller to assess where to reposition the at least some of the plurality of engines after data is gathered after the initial placement; and 
 mobilizing at least some secretions in an airway within the subject in and/or substantially adjacent the at least one treatment area. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising assessing treatment areas of the subject's chest for selective placement of at least some of the plurality of the engines, such that the at least some of the plurality of engines are adjacent treatment areas that need secretion mobilization. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein assessing treatment areas comprises using MRI and/or X-ray. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject and adjusting a fit of the inner wearable harness to the subject's torso using the outer wearable harness. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of the inner wearable harness is formed from a pliable non-rigid material. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least a majority of the inner wearable harness is formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein the outer wearable harness comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein the outer wearable harness comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system used to releasably couple at least some of the plurality of engines to the inner wearable harness using a hook and loop system. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein at least some of the plurality of engines are releasably coupled to the outer wearable harness using the positioning system. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting an amplitude of the oscillation force using a controller. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a frequency of the oscillation force using a controller. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising activating the plurality of engines using a control unit. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject and powering the plurality of engines using one or more batteries coupled to the inner or outer wearable harness. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inhibiting removal of the inner wearable harness from the subject, during use, using a fastening system. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inhibiting removal of the inner wearable harness from the subject, during use, using a fastening system; and 
 adjusting a fit of the inner wearable harness to the subject using the fastening system. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wearable harness is a vest comprising an opening for a head of the subject, and openings for arms of the subject. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wearable harness is a vest comprising an opening for a head of the subject, and openings for arms of the subject, and further comprising positioning at least four engines, after the vest has been positioned on the subject, on different areas of the vest to allow selective placement of engines adjacent areas of the subject's chest. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system comprises a plurality of sealable containers. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system comprises a plurality of pockets. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein the outer wearable harness comprises a vest. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein the outer wearable harness comprises at least one stretchable band, and further comprising coupling a first portion of the outer wearable harness to a second portion of the outer wearable harness. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject, wherein the outer wearable harness comprises at least one stretchable band coupled to the inner wearable harness, and further comprising coupling a first portion of the outer wearable harness to a second portion of the outer wearable harness. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising positioning an outer wearable harness on a torso of a subject and providing a compressive force to at least some of the activated plurality of engines to the treatment area by activating the outer wearable harness. 
     
     
       25. A system, comprising:
 a first wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject; 
 a plurality of engines which when activated apply an oscillation force to at least one treatment area of the subject, wherein at least one of the plurality of engines is releasably couplable to the first wearable harness such that the at least one of the plurality of engines is selectively positionable relative to the subject using a positioning system, wherein the positioning system allows positioning the at least one of the plurality of engines such that the oscillation force is applied to at least one of the treatment areas of the subject, and wherein the oscillation force mobilizes, during use, at least some secretions in an airway within the subject at least adjacent the treatment area; and 
 a control unit, wherein the control unit assesses, during use, where to reposition the at least some of the plurality of engines after data is gathered after an initial placement. 
 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , further comprising a second wearable harness worn, during use, on a torso of a subject on an outer surface of the first wearable harness, wherein the second wearable harness, when activated, provides a compressive force to at least some of the activated plurality of engines to the treatment area.